Decorative Bowling Balls and Methods and Apparatuses for Decorating Bowling Balls

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatus are for decorating bowling balls. A spherical bowling ball inner core has opposing first and second hemispheres. Pressure is applied to adhere a first portion of a conformable decorative first film of material onto the first hemisphere. A combination of pressure and vacuum is applied to adhere a second portion of the first film of material onto the first hemisphere. Pressure is applied to adhere a first portion of a conformable decorative second film of material onto the second hemisphere. A combination of pressure and vacuum is applied to adhere a second portion of the second film of material onto the second hemisphere. Thereafter the bowling ball inner core is covered with a transparent outer cover.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to decorative bowling balls and methodsand apparatus for decorating bowling balls.

BACKGROUND

The following US patents disclose the state of the art and areincorporated herein by reference in entirety.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,524,419 and 6,691,759 disclose methods and apparatusesfor making and/or decorating bowling balls. A form or mold with oppositehalves, which shift between open and closed positions, includes a cavitysized to closely receive therein the article to be decorated. At leastone transfer sheet is positioned in the mold with the article, such thatwhen the mold is closed, the same are captured in the mold cavity in anoverlying relationship. Heat is applied to the mold to a predeterminedtemperature and time causing the article to expand through thermalexpansion, which expansion is resisted by the mold to uniformly pressthe transfer sheet against the underlying outer surface of the article,and also causing the heat-activated ink to transfer from the transfersheet to the outer surface of the article to form the design thereon.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,743,109 discloses methods and apparatuses fortransferring a decorative image to a bowling ball by sublimation from atransfer sheet. The method includes applying at least one transfer sheetcontaining sublimation inks representing a decoration, such as an imageor graphic, to the outer surface of a white bowling ball andtransferring the decoration from the transfer sheet to the white bowlingball by applying sufficient heat and pressure to sublimate the inks. Aheat press apparatus is one exemplary apparatus that is contemplated forproviding the heat and pressure. The heat and pressure may be maintainedafter sublimation to allow the inks to penetrate beneath the outersurface of the white bowling ball. This allows decorating the bowlingball with a durable image or graphic that does not affect theperformance of the bowling ball. The decoration may cover the entirebowling ball, or any portion thereof.

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that arefurther described herein below in the Detailed Description. This Summaryis not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimedsubject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting thescope of the claimed subject matter.

The present disclosure results from the present inventor's research andexperimentation directed towards improved methods and apparatus formaking decorative bowling balls. Through such research andexperimentation, the inventors have found that the above-referencedprior art methods for decorating bowling balls have certain drawbacks.For example, the bowling balls that are decorated according to theabove-referenced methods have images that are subject to damage and wearbecause the image is applied to the outer surface of the ball.Resurfacing and/or repairing such bowling balls also can be verydifficult because scratches and gouges penetrate through the image andexpose the white ball material below. The present inventors have soughtto overcome these disadvantages.

In certain examples disclosed herein, a decorative bowling ballcomprises: a spherical inner core of a first material, the inner corehaving opposing first and second hemispheres; first and seconddecorative films of material, the first decorative film of materialadhered to the first hemisphere and the second film of material adheredto the second hemisphere; and an outer cover of a second, differentmaterial covering the inner core and the first and second films ofmaterial. The first hemisphere has an axis of symmetry, a pole locatedon the axis of symmetry, and an outer surface that circumferentiallyextends away from the pole towards an equator of the spherical innercore. The first decorative film of material has a central portion thatis applied to the pole by pressure alone. The first decorative film ofmaterial has an outer portion surrounding the central portion andapplied to the outer surface by a combination of pressure and vacuum.The second hemisphere has an axis of symmetry that is coincident withthe axis of symmetry of the first hemisphere, a pole located on the axisof symmetry exactly opposite the pole on the first hemisphere on thespherical surface of the core, and an outer surface thatcircumferentially extends away from the pole towards an equator of thebowling ball inner core. The second decorative film of material has acentral portion that is applied to the pole by pressure alone. Thesecond decorative film of material has an outer portion surrounding thecentral portion and applied to the outer surface by a combination ofpressure and vacuum.

In certain examples disclosed herein, methods of decorating a bowlingball comprise: providing a spherical bowling ball inner core havingopposing first and second hemispheres; applying pressure to adhere afirst portion of a conformable decorative first film of material ontothe first hemisphere and then applying a combination of pressure andvacuum to adhere a second portion of the first film of material onto thefirst hemisphere; applying pressure to adhere a first portion of aconformable decorative second film of material onto the secondhemisphere and then applying the combination of pressure and vacuum toadhere a second portion of the second film of material onto the secondhemisphere; and thereafter covering the bowling ball inner core with atransparent outer cover.

In certain examples disclosed herein, methods of decorating a bowlingball comprise: providing a spherical bowling ball inner core; providinga mold having a cavity for receiving the bowling ball inner core;placing a conformable decorative first film of material over the cavity;pressing the bowling ball inner core into the cavity so that the bowlingball inner core stretches the first film of material into the cavity andso that the first film of material adheres onto the bowling ball innercore; creating a vacuum in the cavity and simultaneously furtherpressing the bowling ball inner core into the cavity so that the bowlingball inner core further stretches the first film of material and thefirst film of material further adheres onto the bowling ball inner core;and covering the bowling ball inner core and first film of material witha transparent outer cover. Before covering the first film of materialwith a transparent outer cover, optionally these examples can furthercomprise: placing a conformable decorative second film of material overthe cavity, pressing the second hemisphere of the bowling ball innercore into the cavity so that the second hemisphere stretches the secondfilm of material and so that the first film of material adheres onto thesecond hemisphere, and thereafter creating a vacuum in the cavity andsimultaneously further pressing the second hemisphere into the cavity sothat the second hemisphere further stretches the second film of materialand the second film of material further adheres onto the secondhemisphere.

In certain examples, an apparatus is for decorating a bowling ball. Theapparatus can comprise: a mold having a cavity for receiving an innercore of a bowling ball; an anchor ring that holds a conformabledecorative film of material so as to close the cavity; a vacuum sourcethat applies vacuum to the cavity; a mechanism that progressively lowersthe inner core of the bowling ball onto the film of material and intothe cavity; and optionally a control circuit and actuator that controlsoperation of the vacuum to apply the vacuum to the cavity once thelowering mechanism lowers the inner core of the bowling ball onto thefilm of material and into the cavity by a predetermined amount.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Examples of decorative bowling balls and methods and apparatus fordecorating bowling balls are described with reference to the followingdrawing figures. The same numbers are used throughout the figures toreference like features and components.

FIG. 1 is a section view of a decorative bowling ball made according tothe methods of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of one example of a method of decorating abowling ball, according to the present disclosure.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views of a circular anchor ring that holdsa conformable decorative film of material for decorating a bowling ball.

FIG. 5 depicts a hemispherical mold having a cavity for receiving aninner core of a bowling ball with anchor ring and conformable filmattached.

FIG. 6 depicts a mechanism for raising and lowering an inner core of thebowling ball.

FIG. 7 depicts the mechanism retaining the inner core of the bowlingball above a mold having a cavity for receiving the inner core.

FIGS. 8 and 9 depict a step wherein the mechanism lowers the inner coreof the bowling ball into the mold as a first portion of the conformabledecorative first film of material is applied onto the first hemisphereby pressure.

FIG. 10 depicts a next step wherein a combination of pressure and vacuumare applied to adhere a second portion of the first film of materialonto the first hemisphere.

FIG. 11 depicts a next step wherein a circumferential edge of the firstfilm of material at the base of the first hemisphere is trimmed.

FIG. 12 depicts a next step wherein the mechanism raises the inner coreof the bowling ball with the first piece of conformable film applied tothe first hemisphere of the core out of the mold.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the present description, certain terms have been used for brevity,clearness and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to beimplied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because suchterms are used for descriptive purposes only and are intended to bebroadly construed. The different articles, apparatuses, and methodsdescribed herein may be used alone or in combination with other systemsand methods. Various equivalents, alternatives and modifications arepossible within the scope of the appended claims. Each limitation in theappended claims is intended to invoke interpretation under 35 U.S.C.§112, sixth paragraph only if the terms “means for” or “step for” areexplicitly recited in the respective limitation.

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary bowling ball 10 that is decorated accordingto methods of the present disclosure. The bowling ball 10 has a typical7.7 inch diameter spherical inner core 12 that is made of a firstmaterial, for example a polyester or urethane resin with appropriatefillers to adjust the density to achieve the desired core weight. Thesize and material of the inner core 12 can vary and is not critical tothe present disclosure. The inner core 12 has opposing first and secondhemispheres 14, 16 that are separated at an equator 18. The firsthemisphere 14 has an axis of symmetry 20, a pole 22 located on the axisof symmetry 20, and an outer surface 24 that circumferentially extendsaway from the pole 22 to the equator 18. Similarly, the secondhemisphere 16 has an axis of symmetry 26 that is coincident to axis 20,a pole 28 located on the axis of symmetry 26, and an outer surface 30that circumferentially extends away from the pole 28 to the equator 18.According to the methods of the present disclosure, a first conformableinner decorative film of material 32 having a pre-printed design isadhered onto to the first hemisphere 14. According to the methods of thepresent disclosure, a second conformable decorative film of material 34having a pre-printed design is adhered to the second hemisphere 16.Various types of decorative conformable films of material can beutilized, examples of which include 3M Envision™ Print Wrap Film 480cv3,3M Scotchcal Graphic Films for Textured Surfaces having IDs IJ8626 and8624ES, Arlon Print Cast Film 6000XRP, and potentially Hexis FilmsHX100WG2 and VCXR100WGI. The first and second films of material 32, 34are opposite each other and are aligned with respect to each other atthe equator 18 so as to together form a single decorative image on theouter circumference of the inner core 12. An outer cover 36 of a second,different material is cast onto and covers the inner core 12 and thefirst and second films of material 32, 34. The second, differentmaterial of the outer cover 36 can include a type of resin that includesurethane, polyester or other appropriate polymer, and preferably istransparent so that the image formed by the first and second films ofmaterial 32, 34 is visible through the outer cover 36. The size andmaterial of the outer cover 36 can vary and is not critical to thepresent disclosure.

As described further herein below, the first film of material 32 has afirst, central or radially symmetric inner portion 38 (see also FIG. 5)that first is applied at the pole 22 by pressure alone. The first filmof material 32 also has a second, radially symmetric outer portion 40that surrounds the inner portion 38 and next is applied to the outersurface 24 by a combination of pressure and vacuum. Similarly, thesecond film of material 34 has a first, central or radially symmetricinner portion 42 that first is applied to the pole 28 by pressure alone,and a second, radially symmetric outer portion 44 that surrounds theinner portion 42 and next is applied to the outer surface 30 by acombination of pressure and vacuum.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart that depicts one example of a method of decoratingthe bowling ball 10. At a first step 202, pressure is applied to adherethe inner portion 38 onto the first hemisphere 14. Next, at step 204, acombination of pressure and vacuum are applied to adhere the outerportion 40 onto the first hemisphere 14. At step 206, steps 202 and 204are repeated for the second film of material 34 and the secondhemisphere 16. Thereafter, at step 208, the inner core 12 is coveredwith the outer cover 36. In certain examples, the inner portion 38 isadhered onto the pole 22 by pressure alone and then the outer portion 40is progressively adhered onto the outer surface 24 towards the equator18 by a combination of pressure and vacuum. Similarly, the inner portion42 is adhered onto the pole 28 by pressure alone and then the outerportion 44 is progressively adhered onto the outer surface 30 towardsthe equator 18 by a combination of pressure and vacuum. The pressure inthe combination of pressure and vacuum tends to press together the firstfilm of material 32 and first hemisphere 14 and the suction in thecombination of pressure and vacuum tends to draw the first film ofmaterial 32 away from the first hemisphere 14. Similarly, the pressurein the combination of pressure and vacuum tends to press together thesecond film of material 34 and second hemisphere 16 and the suction inthe combination of pressure and vacuum tends to draw the second film ofmaterial 34 away from the second hemisphere 16.

The present inventors have found that certain amounts and/or ratios ofpressure and vacuum can be selected and applied to achieve a predictableamount of stretching of the inner and outer portions of the films ofmaterial 32, 34 to thereby achieve a predictable amount of stretching ofthe image across the first and second hemispheres 14, 16. For example,if the first and second films of material 32, 34 are applied to thefirst and second hemispheres 14, 16 only under pressure there will be asmall amount of distortion at inner portions 38, 42 and a relativelylarge amount of distortion at the outer portions 40, 44. In contrast, ifthe first and second films of material 32, 34 are applied to the firstand second hemispheres 14, 16 only under vacuum there will be a smallamount of distortion at the outer portions 40, 44 and relatively largeamount of distortion at the inner portions 38, 42. In both these cases,when the films of material 32, 34 distort more in one portion thananother, an undesirable reduction of the ink intensity due to thedifferential stretch results. This imbalance also undesirably causes theoverall image on the inner core 12 to appear faded in one portioncompared to another. This can also undesirably cause a variable radialstretch if the films of material 32, 34 are not perfectly uniform, whichleads to distortion or warping of the final image, which is especiallynoticeable on geometric patterns such as circles. By providing thepresently disclosed methods and apparatuses that utilize a combinationof pressure and then pressure and vacuum to apply the films of material32, 34, the present inventors have surprisingly and advantageously beenable to equalize and/or control the stretching of the films of material32, 34 so that the distortion at the inner portions 38, 42 and outerportions 40, 44 are the same or similar. According to these methods, itis possible to standardize the distortion and in turn the selectively,pre-scale the image files of the first and second films of material 32,34 so that the final image on the bowling ball 10 consistently has adesired appearance. The presently described methods also canadvantageously maintain integrity of the image, even if the bowling ball10 is used and the surface is worn or damaged. The presently describedmethods and apparatuses also can provide a bowling ball 10 that iseasily repaired using standard techniques with clear patching materials,without negatively affecting the image.

The methods described herein above can be carried out utilizing a widevariety of apparatuses. FIGS. 3-12 and the description herein belowprovide certain non-limiting examples of such apparatuses for carryingout these methods. However it is recognized by the present inventorsthat significant modifications and substitutions to these apparatusescan be made while still accomplishing the objectives.

In the example shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first decorative film ofmaterial 32 has a first, decorative side 46 and a second, adhesive side48 that is covered by a non-adhesive paper cover 50. The paper cover 50is peeled from the adhesive side 48 of the film of material 32 andthereafter the adhesive side 48 of the film of material 32 is adhered toan inner radial surface 52 of an anchor ring 54 so that the film ofmaterial 32 creates a seal around the center opening 56 of the anchorring 54.

FIG. 5 depicts a hemispherical mold 58 having an internal cavity 59 forreceiving the inner core 12 of the bowling ball 10. The mold 58 isdisposed on a platform 60 having legs 62, which optionally can beadjustable to change the height and levelness of the platform 60. Theanchor ring 54 having the film of material 32 applied thereon isattached to the upper radial surface 64 of the mold 58 by compressionclips 66 such that the film of material 32 is sandwiched between theradial surface 52 of the anchor ring 54 and the radial surface 64 of themold 58. The film of material 32 and anchor ring 54 are sealed with theupper radial surface 64 of the mold 58 and thus close the cavity 59 inan airtight manner. A conventional vacuum 68 is connected to theinternal cavity 59 of the mold 58 via a vacuum line 70. As describedherein, the vacuum 68 operates to apply suction to the cavity 59 at anappropriate time in the process, which tends to draw the first film ofmaterial 32 into the cavity 59.

FIGS. 6 and 7 depict a mechanism 72 for raising and lowering the innercore 12 of the bowling ball 10 with respect to the mold 58. Themechanism 72 includes a suction device 74 having a suction cup 76 forengaging the outer surface 30 of the inner core 12. A plurality ofalignment guides 78 are disposed around the suction cup 76 and ensureproper alignment between the inner surface of the suction cup 76 and theouter surface 30 of the inner core 12. The inner surface of the suctioncup 76 is open to a manifold 80 that receives a suction force via vacuumline 79. A vacuum source 77 applies the suction force via the vacuumline 79 to the manifold 80, which in turn creates suction within thesuction cup 76. The mechanism 72 further includes a linkage 82 having apivoting lever arm 84 and a shaft 87 through linear bearing 86 viastraight line linkage 89. To engage the suction cup 76 with the innercore 12, the lever arm 84 is moved in the direction of arrow 88, whichcauses the lever arm 84 to pivot about a pivot point 90 and therebylower the shaft 87 through linear bearing 86 via straight line linkage89 and thus lower the suction cup 76 and alignment guides 78 in thedirection of arrow 92. The suction provided via the vacuum line 79causes the suction cup 76 to adhere to the outer surface 30 of the innercore 12. As shown in FIG. 7, opposite movement of the lever arm 84 inthe direction of arrow 91 causes the lever arm 84 to pivot about pivotpoint 90, thus raising the shaft 87 through the linear bearing 86 viastraight line linkage 89 and thus raise the inner core 12, which isattached thereto by the suction cup 76, in the direction of arrow 94. Acounterweight 96 can be added to the lever arm 84 to assist the pivotingmovement. FIG. 7 depicts the mold 58 placed beneath the suspended innercore 12, thus enabling the next process steps.

FIGS. 8-12 depict a series of steps for decorating the bowling ball 10using the apparatus shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. As shown in FIG. 8, thesuction device 74 is operated to retain the inner core 12 of the bowlingball 10 in the suction cup 76 such that the first hemisphere 14 isfacing toward the cavity 59 of the mold 58. As shown in FIG. 8, themechanism 72 (see FIG. 6) is operated to move the shaft 87 through thelinear bearing 86 via straight line linkage 89 vertically downwardly inthe direction of arrow 92 so as to move the inner core 12 into contactwith the adhesive side 48 of the first film of material 32. Operation ofthe lever arm 84 in a continuous motion in the direction of arrow 88 inFIG. 6 progressively lowers the inner core 12 of the bowling ball 10onto the first film of material 32 and then progressively into thecavity 59, with the first film of material 32 sandwiched therebetween.Initially, as shown in FIG. 7, the vacuum 68 is not yet operated suchthat movement of the inner core 12 in the direction of arrow 92 appliespressure alone to adhere the inner portion 38 of the first film ofmaterial 32 onto the first hemisphere 14 of the inner core 12 at thepole 22. As shown in FIG. 9, once the mechanism 72 lowers the inner core12 into the cavity 59 by a predetermined amount, which can be selectedby the operator based upon characteristics of the first film of material32, the variable control vacuum 68 is operated to create a vacuum in thecavity 59 via the vacuum line 70. As the continued operation of themechanism 72 progressively lowers the inner core 12 into the cavity 59,the vacuum within the cavity 59 tends to draw the first film of material32 into the cavity 59, away from the first hemisphere 14. Continuedoperation of the mechanism 72 causes the second, radially outer portion40 of the first film of material 32 to adhere onto the first hemisphere14 by pressure caused by vertical movement in the direction of arrow 92in combination with the vacuum within the cavity 59 to apply theradially outer portion 40 onto the first hemisphere 14 as shown in FIG.10. As shown in FIG. 11, an edge portion of the first film of material32 that remains outside of the cavity 59 of the mold 58 can be trimmedaway with a trimming device 98, such as a knife.

As shown in FIG. 12, the mechanism 72 in FIG. 7 is operated to removethe inner core 12 from the cavity 59 and the inner core 12 is releasedfrom suction cup 76 by shutting off vacuum source 77, the inner core 12is then rotated 180 degrees with respect to vertical, and the abovestated process can be repeated for the second hemisphere 16 of the innercore 12. Thereafter the inner core 12 and films of material 32, 34 arecovered by the outer cover 36, via for example casting.

In an alternate example, instead of manual operation, the mechanism 72can include an actuator, such as a conventional pneumatic, hydraulicand/or electrical device for causing pivoting movement of the pivot arm84 or operate a straight line shaft. Operation of the actuator can becontrolled by a control circuit 103 that also controls operation of thevacuum 68 and optionally the vacuum 77 to provide an automated processaccording to the methods described herein above (see FIGS. 6 and 7). Thecontrol circuit 103 can have one or more control sections, each having amemory and a processor for sending and receiving electronic controlsignals and for communicating with other components, such as for examplethe actuator 101 and/or the vacuums 68 and 77. The structure andelectrical connections of this type of system are within the skill ofone having ordinary skill in the art. Advantageously, the controlcircuit 103 can be programmed to automatically control the insertiondepth of the inner core 12 into the cavity 59 at which the vacuum 68 isoperated to apply suction force in the cavity 59, thus applying thecombination of pressure and vacuum. The insertion depth andpressure-to-vacuum ratio can be selected based upon the material andmakeup of the first and second films of materials 32, 34 and/or theconsistency and/or scale of the images thereon. In certain examples, theamount of suction force applied by the vacuum 68 and/or the rate atwhich the inner core 12 is inserted into the cavity 59 can also beselected by the operator and programmed into the control circuit 103 forautomated processing. These features thus provide flexibility and allowfor the noted consistency in the desired appearance of the final imageon the bowling ball 10. The orientation of the mechanism 72 also canvary from that shown and described. For example, the inner core 12 canbe lifted to apply pressure, rather than lowered, as described herein.

The present disclosure thus provides a method of decorating a bowlingball that includes the steps of providing a spherical bowling ball innercore, providing a mold having a cavity for receiving the bowling ballinner core, placing a conformable decorative first film of material overthe cavity, and pressing the bowling ball inner core into the cavity sothat the bowling ball inner core stretches the first film of materialinto the cavity and so that the first film of material adheres onto thebowling ball inner core. A vacuum is created in the cavity and thebowling ball inner core is simultaneously further pressed into thecavity so that the bowling ball inner core further stretches the firstfilm of material and the first film of material further adheres onto thebowling ball inner core. The bowling ball inner core and the first filmof material can then be covered with a transparent outer cover. Thevacuum in the cavity tends to draw the first web of material into thecavity, away from the bowling ball inner core. The bowling ball innercore has opposing first and second hemispheres. The first hemisphere ispressed into the cavity to thereby apply the first film of material tothe first hemisphere.

The present disclosure further explains that a conformable decorativesecond film of material can be placed over the cavity and the secondhemisphere of the bowling ball inner core can be pressed into the cavityso that the second hemisphere stretches the second film of material andso that the second film of material adheres onto the second hemisphere.Thereafter, a vacuum is created in the cavity and the second hemisphereis simultaneously further pressed into the cavity so that the secondhemisphere further stretches the second film of material and the secondfilm of material further adheres onto the second hemisphere.

A circumferential edge of the first film of material and second film ofmaterial can be trimmed at the base of the first and second hemispheresafter the respective films of material are stretched onto the respectivehemispheres.

The bowling ball inner core can be vertically supported above the moldand vertically lowered into the cavity to thereby stretch the first filmof material into the cavity and adhere the first film of material ontothe bowling ball inner core. Continuing to vertically lower the bowlingball inner core into the cavity while applying a vacuum in the cavityfurther stretches the first film of material onto the bowling ball innercore and the first film of material further adheres onto the bowlingball inner core.

This method thereby provides the decorative bowling ball having aspherical inner core of a first material, the inner core having opposingfirst and second hemispheres, first and second decorative films ofmaterial, the first decorative film of material adhered to the firsthemisphere and the second film of material adhered to the secondhemisphere, and an outer cover of a second different material coveringthe inner core and the first and second films of material. The firsthemisphere has an axis of symmetry, a pole located on the axis ofsymmetry, and an outer surface that circumferentially extends away fromthe pole towards an equator of the spherical inner core. The firstdecorative film of material has a central portion that is applied to thepole by pressure alone. The first decorative film of material has anouter portion surrounding the central portion and applied to the outersurface by a combination of pressure and vacuum. The second hemispherehas an axis of symmetry, a pole located on the axis of symmetrycoincident to the axis of symmetry of the first hemisphere, and an outersurface that circumferentially extends away from the pole towards anequator of the bowling ball inner core. The second decorative film ofmaterial has a central portion that is applied to the pole by pressurealone. The second decorative film of material has an outer portionsurrounding the central portion and applied to the outer surface by acombination of pressure and vacuum.

1. A method of decorating a bowling ball, the method comprising:providing a spherical bowling ball inner core having opposing first andsecond hemispheres, applying pressure to adhere a first portion of aconformable decorative first film of material onto the first hemisphereand then applying a combination of pressure and vacuum to adhere asecond portion of the first film of material onto the first hemisphere;and thereafter covering the bowling ball inner core with a transparentouter cover.
 2. The method according to claim 1, comprising, beforecovering the bowling ball inner core with the transparent outer cover,applying pressure to adhere a first portion of a conformable decorativesecond film of material onto the second hemisphere and then applying thecombination of pressure and vacuum to adhere a second portion of thesecond film of material onto the second hemisphere.
 3. The methodaccording to claim 2, wherein the first hemisphere has an axis ofsymmetry, a pole located on the axis of symmetry, and an outer surfacethat circumferentially extends away from the pole towards an equator ofthe inner core; and further comprising adhering the first portion of thefirst film of material onto the pole of the first hemisphere and thenprogressively adhering the second portion of the first film materialonto the outer surface towards the equator.
 4. The method according toclaim 3, wherein the second hemisphere has an axis of symmetrycoincident to the axis of symmetry of the first hemisphere, a polelocated on the axis of symmetry, and an outer surface thatcircumferentially extends away from the pole towards an equator of theinner core and further comprising adhering the first portion of thesecond film material onto the pole of the second hemisphere and thenprogressively adhering the second portion of the second film of materialonto the outer surface towards the equator.
 5. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the pressure in the combination of pressure and vacuumtends to press together the first film of material and first hemisphereand wherein the vacuum in the combination of pressure and vacuum tendsto draw the first film of material away from the first hemisphere. 6.The method according to claim 2, wherein the pressure in the combinationof pressure and vacuum tends to press together the second film ofmaterial and second hemisphere and wherein the vacuum in the combinationof pressure and vacuum tends to draw the second film of material awayfrom the second hemisphere.
 7. The method according to claim 1,comprising selecting and applying certain amounts of pressure and vacuumto achieve a desired amount of stretching of the first and secondportions of the first film of material.
 8. A method of decorating abowling ball, the method comprising: providing a spherical bowling ballinner core; providing a mold having a cavity for receiving the bowlingball inner core; placing a conformable decorative first film of materialover the cavity; pressing the bowling ball inner core into the cavity sothat the bowling ball inner core stretches the first film of materialinto the cavity and so that the first film of material adheres onto thebowling ball inner core; creating a vacuum in the cavity andsimultaneously further pressing the bowling ball inner core into thecavity so that the bowling ball inner core further stretches the firstfilm of material and the first film of material further adheres onto thebowling ball inner core; and covering the bowling ball inner core andfirst film of material with a transparent outer cover.
 9. The methodaccording to claim 8, wherein the vacuum in the cavity tends to draw thefirst web of material into the cavity.
 10. The method according to claim8, wherein the bowling ball inner core has opposing first and secondhemispheres, wherein the first hemisphere is pressed into the cavity tothereby apply the first film of material to the first hemisphere. 11.The method according to claim 10, further comprising placing aconformable decorative second film of material over the cavity, pressingthe second hemisphere of the bowling ball inner core into the cavity sothat the second hemisphere stretches the second film of material and sothat the second film of material adheres onto the second hemisphere, andthereafter creating a vacuum in the cavity and simultaneously furtherpressing the second hemisphere into the cavity so that the secondhemisphere further stretches the second film of material and the secondfilm of material further adheres onto the second hemisphere.
 12. Themethod according to claim 11, comprising providing a circular anchorring; attaching the first film of material to the circular anchor ringand sealing the circular anchor ring to the mold before pressing thebowling ball inner core into the cavity so that the bowling ball innercore stretches the first film of material into the cavity.
 13. Themethod according to claim 12, comprising trimming a circumferential edgeof the first film of material at the base of the first hemisphere afterthe first film of material is stretched onto the first hemisphere. 14.The method according to claim 13, comprising trimming a circumferentialedge of the second film of material at the base of the second hemisphereafter the second film of material is stretched onto the secondhemisphere.
 15. The method according to claim 8, comprising supportingthe bowling ball inner core vertically above the mold and verticallylowering the bowling ball inner core into the cavity to thereby stretchthe first film of material into the cavity and adhere the first film ofmaterial onto the bowling ball inner core.
 16. The method according toclaim 15, comprising continuing to vertically lower the bowling ballinner core into the cavity while applying a vacuum in the cavity so thatthe bowling ball inner core further stretches the first film of materialand the first film of material further adheres onto the bowling ballinner core.
 17. The method according to claim 16, comprising continuingto vertically lower the bowling ball inner core into the cavity untilthe bowling ball inner core is fully seated in the cavity.
 18. Adecorative bowling ball comprising: a spherical inner core of a firstmaterial, the inner core having opposing first and second hemispheres;first and second decorative films of material, the first decorative filmof material adhered to the first hemisphere and the second film ofmaterial adhered to the second hemisphere; and an outer cover of asecond, different material covering the inner core and the first andsecond films of material.
 19. The decorative bowling ball according toclaim 18, wherein the first hemisphere has an axis of symmetry, a polelocated on the axis of symmetry, and an outer surface thatcircumferentially extends away from the pole towards an equator of thespherical inner core; wherein the first decorative film of material hasa central portion that is applied to the pole by pressure alone andwherein the first decorative film of material has an outer portionsurrounding the central portion and applied to the outer surface by acombination of pressure and vacuum.
 20. The decorative bowling ballaccording to claim 19, wherein the second hemisphere has an axis ofsymmetry coincident to the axis of symmetry of the first hemisphere, apole located on the axis of symmetry, and an outer surface thatcircumferentially extends away from the pole towards an equator of thebowling ball inner core; wherein the second decorative film of materialhas a central portion that is applied to the pole by pressure alone andwherein the second decorative film of material has an outer portionsurrounding the central portion and applied to the outer surface by acombination of pressure and vacuum.
 21. The decorative bowling ballaccording to claim 20, wherein the first and second films of materialboth have inner surfaces with adhesive for adhering to the bowling ballinner core.
 22. The decorative bowling ball according to claim 21,wherein the first and second decorative films of material together forman image when the first and second films of the material are adhered tothe first and second hemispheres, respectively.
 23. An apparatus fordecorating a bowling ball, the apparatus comprising: a mold having acavity for receiving an inner core of a bowling ball; a circular anchorring that holds a conformable decorative film of material so as to closethe cavity; a vacuum source that applies vacuum to the cavity; amechanism that progressively lowers the inner core of the bowling ballonto the film of material and into the cavity; and a control circuitthat controls operation of the vacuum to apply the vacuum to the cavityonce the lowering mechanism lowers the inner core of the bowling ballonto the film of material and into the cavity by a predetermined amount.24. A method of decorating a bowling ball, the method comprising:providing a spherical bowling ball inner core; applying a conformabledecorative first film of material onto the bowling ball inner core; andthereafter covering the bowling ball inner core and decorative firstfilm of material with a transparent outer cover.
 25. The method of claim24, wherein the spherical bowling ball inner core has opposing first andsecond hemispheres; and further comprising applying the conformabledecorative first film of material onto the first hemisphere and thenapplying a conformable decorative second film of material onto thesecond hemisphere; and thereafter covering the bowling ball inner corewith the transparent outer cover.
 26. The method of claim 25, furthercomprising applying pressure to adhere a first portion of theconformable decorative first film of material onto the first hemisphereand then applying a combination of pressure and vacuum to adhere asecond portion of the first film of material onto the first hemisphere,and further comprising applying pressure to adhere a first portion ofthe conformable decorative second film of material onto the secondhemisphere and then applying the combination of pressure and vacuum toadhere a second portion of the second film of material onto the secondhemisphere.
 27. The method according to claim 26, wherein the firsthemisphere has an axis of symmetry, a pole located on the axis ofsymmetry, and an outer surface that circumferentially extends away fromthe pole towards an equator of the inner core; and further comprisingadhering the first portion of the first film of material onto the poleof the first hemisphere and then progressively adhering the secondportion of the first film material onto the outer surface towards theequator.
 28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the secondhemisphere has an axis of symmetry coincident to the axis of symmetry ofthe first hemisphere, a pole located on the axis of symmetry, and anouter surface that circumferentially extends away from the pole towardsan equator of the inner core; and further comprising adhering the firstportion of the second film material onto the pole of the secondhemisphere and then progressively adhering the second portion of thesecond film of material onto the outer surface towards the equator. 29.The method according to claim 28, wherein the pressure in thecombination of pressure and vacuum tends to press together the firstfilm of material and first hemisphere and wherein the vacuum in thecombination of pressure and vacuum tends to draw the first film ofmaterial away from the first hemisphere.
 30. The method according toclaim 29, wherein the pressure in the combination of pressure and vacuumtends to press together the second film of material and secondhemisphere and wherein the vacuum in the combination of pressure andvacuum tends to draw the second film of material away from the secondhemisphere.